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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on September 23, 2005, at 21:00:12
i really don't know what's causing this and it's been going on for months. i'm always tired feel fully healthy, but this looks beyond what normal fatigue could cause.
when closed, one side of my mouth droops severely down! making a straight line (like i have no lips) down at 45deg, and it makes one side of mouth look 2cm longer than the other. it also bends the fat in face... it makes one side of my face look like a sad cartoon. im not joking its so wierd. also one of my eyebrows has a normal curve and well looks alive, while the other one stays dead and flat. (this is the same side as the mouth drooping) it makes me think the nerves in my brain to my face are dying. seriously.
could this connect to all of my psychiatric health related issues?
they say that people look for facial asymmetry in mates because it signifies health. what kind of health? what could they mean by this?
i'm really not joking about this asymmetry... it wasnt there two years ago. :(
Posted by Phillipa on September 23, 2005, at 22:26:39
In reply to one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry, posted by iforgotmypassword on September 23, 2005, at 21:00:12
Sounds like Bell's Palsy to me. I'd google it and compare all my symtoms. It usually resolves in about six months. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by gardenergirl on September 24, 2005, at 0:32:46
In reply to one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry, posted by iforgotmypassword on September 23, 2005, at 21:00:12
I would get in to see my GP if I were you. They can do an easy neurological screen to see what's going on.
gg
Posted by Sarah T. on September 24, 2005, at 0:50:33
In reply to one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry, posted by iforgotmypassword on September 23, 2005, at 21:00:12
Hi there. I agree with both Phillipa and GardenerGirl. Facial asymmetry and drooping of half the face is often caused by Bell's Palsy. There are other neurological problems that can cause asymmetry as well. Please schedule an appointment with a neurologist as soon as possible, and tell them what you've told us. If the receptionist tries to put you off, insist on speaking with the doctor and/or the nurse. Among other things, you should have complete blood work, including a test for Lyme Disease.
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 11:38:05
In reply to Re: one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry » iforgotmypassword, posted by Sarah T. on September 24, 2005, at 0:50:33
Lyme's Disease? I have chronic lymes's disease. And I got Bell's Palsy after my facelift. Now you're getting me scared. Please any info you have on a correlation of the two please i beg of you Babblemail it to me. Now I'm scared. And my anxiety and depression and fatigue could that be part of it too? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on September 24, 2005, at 12:50:05
In reply to Re: one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry » Sarah T., posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 11:38:05
> Lyme's Disease? I have chronic lymes's disease. And I got Bell's Palsy after my facelift. Now you're getting me scared. Please any info you have on a correlation of the two please i beg of you Babblemail it to me. Now I'm scared. And my anxiety and depression and fatigue could that be part of it too? Fondly, Phillipa
Silly! I think Sarah was suggesting Lyme's as an alternative to Bell's Palsy! Not as an adjunct.
For what it's worth, I understand that depression and fatigue are some of the symptoms of Lyme's disease. It's perfectly possible that one of the treatments for Lyme's would resolve some of your depression and fatigue.
Now, on a tangent, as someone with too many animals through my life, it makes me crazy -- OK, craziER -- when we don't get the same careful care that my animals get. When something changes in my animals, my vet will test everything it could be, and rule out ANY sort of physical problem BEFORE telling me that something is behavioral. That's what doctors for any species should be doing. If your doctor hasn't explored the idea that the Lyme's could be causing your other symptoms, shame on him! (or her.)
I've told doctors in the past that I think I should get at least the same standard of care that I insist on for my animals. Most don't quite like having it put that way, but you know what? While I'm not nearly as great as some of my beasts are or have been, I'm still worth that level of care. I've also told my vets how I feel about it, and they kinda understand. (I really do vet shop, too. If I don't like a vet, I'll find one I do like. I'm very fortunate that there are some truly great vets in my area.)
Good luck, Miss PJ.
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 13:12:30
In reply to Re: one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry » Phillipa, posted by Racer on September 24, 2005, at 12:50:05
Racer problem is I've been treated numerous times for lyme's and it never goes away just isn't active while it hides in your body tissue. And now my PA ran tests for all kinds of things, ferrin, iron binding, Rheumatoid arthritis, and one neither the tech or I knew. And he's talking lexapro. Since I've been on most of current meds. Said this probably wouldn't work the first time. Wonder what he meant by that? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 15:29:02
In reply to Re: one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry » Racer, posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 13:12:30
And Racer I know you get upset with me but too many docs are trying to treat me. Wish me luck in getting house in Charlotte. Neighbor just brought her boyfriend into ours and he seemed to really like it keep fingers crossed. But I'm afraid to look of pdocs and therapists there yet. Sorry I'm not trying to hyjack your thread. But Bell's Palsy is worth a google. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by iforgotmypassword on September 24, 2005, at 15:31:30
In reply to Re: one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry, posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 15:29:02
apparently different types of antibiotics and different types of delievery (like I.V.) are used to treat lyme's in different cases... has anything creative like this been tried?
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 18:42:12
In reply to Re: one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry, posted by iforgotmypassword on September 24, 2005, at 15:31:30
Pic line was surgically inserted and IV Rocephin for about a week. But the psychiatric nurses didnl't know how to use a pump. So they just opened it wide and it flowed in and later i found out it supposed to go in over an hour. I exprienced a lot of shking so they dc'd the line. Then it was Biaxin LA for months. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on September 24, 2005, at 21:16:19
In reply to Re: one side of my face drooping, severe asymmetry, posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 15:29:02
> And Racer I know you get upset with me but too many docs are trying to treat me. Wish me luck in getting house in Charlotte. Sorry I'm not trying to hyjack your thread. But Bell's Palsy is worth a google. Fondly, Phillipa
Listen, PJ, I don't get upset with you. What happens is that, when I see you starting to waver and sway and worry, I jump in to give you a straight line kind of an answer. I learned to do that sometimes with some of my students -- they really want someone to tell them what to do, and so I do. I do the same thing with my mother, for that matter. I'm sorry if you think it means I'm upset with you. Just trying to help you, truly, because sometimes I need that kind of a reaction from someone. Guess I'm trying to follow that Golden Rule, huh?
Anyway, you're probably right about too many doctors. That's part of why I try to remember to sign releases for all of them to talk to all the others. That way, I can hope they all coordinate...
Good luck on Charlotte.
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 23:28:32
In reply to That's just me » Phillipa, posted by Racer on September 24, 2005, at 21:16:19
Racer I like what you do. Feels like you're more of a doctor than my pdoc is. She just says what do you want to try? And then it's see you next month. Unfortunately it's a two hour drive from here to her office. And all the specialists are there too. The only communication between them happened when I was in the psych ward for one month a few years back. That was when they discovered the lyme's diseae. But now I'm here and they're there and this is a PA I went to only for thyroid TSH to renew my RX. He was just interested in everything I said and it was obvious to him that I am severely anxious and depressed. So more bloodwork, and he asked for psych records to be sent of him. And I see him next week. So I guess there is something to be said about a primary doc getting copies of all your records. They just seem to care more. I've learned something now and I'll make sure if and when I get to Charlotte that the first thing I get is a primary doctor. Just hope they take Meicare. Love PJ/Phillipa
Posted by Racer on September 25, 2005, at 1:47:17
In reply to Re: That's just me » Racer, posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 23:28:32
If this PA is being so helpful, you might want to look into getting a GP who has a nurse practitioner to do patient care. Some of the best "doctors" I've had in my life have been NPs, and one of them may have saved my life, too.
I"m glad someone's caring about you, and hope this PA is as successful as he is concerned.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2005, at 17:55:39
In reply to Another thing to think about » Phillipa, posted by Racer on September 25, 2005, at 1:47:17
Thanks Racer, I really appreciate that. And basically a Nurse Practicioner and PA are really about the same education wise. When I graduated I could have become a PA two more years of school. And if I'd graduated one year earliet I wouldn't have need a Bachelors degree first. And since I was going through a divorce and my kids were at home I had to work. Love PJ/Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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